The Memphis Grizzlies were fine if this debate stayed dormant from now until forever, this discussion about center Marc Gasol and whether his value was as real as advertised or perhaps the product of the analytic movement that has gained so much speed in recent years.

They already knew the answer. Now everyone else is about to find out.

The Grade 2 medial collateral ligament sprain in Gasol's left knee that has sidelined him indefinitely will put a strain on the Grizzlies' operation in ways they've never known. This was the situation they didn't need to see to believe, the loss of the big man who has anchored their top-tier defense for these past six seasons during what has been a remarkable run of health. And after the Grizzlies (7-6) returned the same core of grit-and-grind players who made the franchise's first visit to the Western Conference finals last May, Gasol's absence could open up an opportunity for another contender.

While the Grizzlies have not offered a timetable for Gasol's return, a person with knowledge of the situation said the best-case scenario for Memphis has the reigning defensive player of the year returning in approximately four or five weeks. Or, depending on the uniqueness of his physiology, his ligament could take as much as 10 weeks to heal. The person spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because the timetable has not been determined officially.

"Oh man, he's their — I can't say 'glue' because he's more important than that — but I think he's definitely the engine behind that team," Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge told USA TODAY Sports. "He rebounds, scores, passes, so I feel like if they don't have him that's going to be tough. They still have good players to maybe win games, but they won't be as dominant without him because he's hard to guard and makes their team so much more sharp.

"When he's in the game, he's controlling the paint, blocking shots, talking guys through their position. He helps everybody else be where they should be, so he definitely has that dominance on the floor."

Posted!

A link has been posted to your Facebook feed.

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant is not expected to return this season as he recovers from a broken bone in his left knee. Flip through this gallery for more current NBA injuries.
Justin Ford, USA TODAY Sports

Gasol's distinction as defensive player of the year last season was criticized by many, largely because his impact is harder to quantify than statistically inclined centers such as Dwight Howard. He ranked 23rd in rebounds per game (7.8) and 12th in blocks per game (1.74) last season, and Howard himself, a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, was publicly critical of Gasol's candidacy in part because of his standing when it came to those statistics.

But Gasol's effect on the collective performance was profound. With him on the court last season, the Grizzlies allowed 95.4 points per 100 possessions. With him on the bench, they allowed 102.2 points per 100 possessions. That mark hadn't been as stark this season, but that had as much to do with the getting-to-know-you period between first-year coach Dave Joerger and his players as anything. And his offense, meanwhile, has been better than ever as he was averaging a career-best 16.0 points per game to go with 7.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game.

His absence means Kosta Koufos will be front and (starting) center, and the late June trade that brought him to town certainly will come in handy now. This will become more of a trial run of sorts for fourth-year forward Ed Davis as well, a stretch that will likely tell the Grizzlies all they need to know when it comes time to handle his restricted free agency come July. Still, the widely held belief is that the Grizzlies simply aren't the same without Gasol.

To get a better understanding of what his absence will mean, USA TODAY Sports asked three NBA advance scouts to share their views on what the real impact will be. The scouts requested anonymity because they are not permitted by their respective teams to speak about opposing teams publicly.

Scout No. 1 (from the Western Conference):

"As if the Grizzlies didn't have enough issues, this happens. They already struggle to score, but with Gasol out, it could get worse. He means so much to them on both ends. He's a threat offensively in the paint, but he can also pick and pop or roll efficiently. He and (forward) Zach (Randolph) probably play the high/low game (in the post) better than any other big man duo. Now they will have to force feed Zach a lot more. Defenses can now double him more and force him to pass out of double teams where he's not as good as Gasol. The backups are not consistent scorers so they have a huge void to fill, literally.

"Defensively they are not nearly as good as they were in the past. Now it gets worse. Gasol is their best paint defender and he defends pick and rolls well for a big. Scoring in the paint will become easier for their opponents. I think he has one of the biggest b-ball IQ's on the team, and he's one of the leaders they need badly, so those are other areas in which he will be missed. I hate to beat a dead horse but trading (Rudy) Gay (to the Toronto Raptors) last season, then firing (coach Lionel) Hollins this summer, is, and will continue to haunt them."

Scout No. 2 (from the Eastern Conference):

"Losing Marc for any length will hurt the Grizzlies. Marc has such a high level basketball IQ, and is such a good facilitator. He can score in the post, make high-low passes to Randolph and make plays ... on the perimeter. What can't be overlooked is that he knows where every player is suppose to be on the court and many times has to direct Zach where to go.

"He is also a smart, positional defender. In addition, he is competitive and is a quiet, but respected leader in the locker room. Koufos will give them solid minutes, but now Ed Davis or (third-year forward) Jon Leuer will have to contribute key minutes in relief. I expect the Grizzlies will give Randolph a lot of looks in the post, And also Memphis will try to play small more with Miller stretching the floor as the 4-man. They struggle to score and now a key part of their offense will be sidelined for a stretch."

Scout No. 3 (from the Western Conference):

"(The impact is) pretty obvious to me. (His absence) makes a team lacking depth even leaner, diminishes their physicality, (and) takes away their high-low game with him and Zach of which they are the best in the league. He's a locker room leader — and not that he won't be around but it is less effective when a guy is in a suit and not short pants. It will make them more perimeter-oriented and rely on Koufos, who is a glorified (NBA Development League player). They will find out if Ed Davis is the real deal or not. ... At one time management thought his presence made Randolph expendable, which is laughable. Guys like Jon Leuer will have to play some minutes, and he wouldn't be good in the D-League. Of course it takes the threat of a double-double every night from your (center) off the books, (and) it will affect (point guard Mike) Conley since Gasol is their best screener in pick and rolls."

April 14, 2014: Minnesota Timberwolves forward Corey Brewer goes crowd surfing in the middle of a game against the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors went on to win a 130-120 shootout, clinching the 6th seed in the playoffs.
Kelley L Cox, USA TODAY Sports

April 13, 2014: Paul George and his Indiana Pacers got a much-needed win against the Oklahoma City Thunder, as his squad jousts with the Miami Heat for the top playoff spot in the East.
Brian Spurlock, USA TODAY Sports

March 18, 2014: On the day he was introduced as Knicks president, Phil Jackson joins former teammates Walt Frazier and Dick Barnett and Peter DeBusschere, son of Jackson teammate Dave.
William Perlman, The Star-Ledger, via USA TODAY Sports

March 3, 2014: The night belonged to LeBron James, who put on a show for the South Beach crowd with a career-high and Heat-record 61 points in a 124-107 win over the Bobcats.
Robert Mayer, USA TODAY Sports

March 2, 2014: Joakim Noah (13) sends Raymond Felton's (2) shot back where it came from as the Bulls rolled to a 109-90 win over the Knicks in Chicago. Noah wracked up a triple-double with 13 points, 12 rebounds and 14 assists.
Mike Dinovo, USA TODAY Sports

Feb 26, 2014: Dwight Howard (12) beat Blake Griffin (32) for an alley-oop slam here, but it wasn't enough for the Rockets, who fell 101-93 to the Clippers in a matchup of Western Conference contenders.
Kelvin Kuo, USA TODAY Sports

Feb 24, 2014: Everyone knew he would take the shot, but the Knicks still couldn't stop Dirk Nowitzki (41), who hit the game-winning shot here at the buzzer to give the Mavericks a 110-108 win.
Anthony Gruppuso, USA TODAY Sports

Feb. 23, 2014: Brooklyn Nets center Jason Collins (46) attempts a shot during the second half against the Los Angeles Lakers. Collins became the first openly gay athlete to play in any of North America's four major professional sports.
Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports

Feb. 5, 2014: Sacramento center DeMarcus Cousins attempts to save the ball from going out of bounds during the third quarter in the Kings' game against the Toronto Raptors.
Ed Szczepanski, USA TODAY Sports

Jan. 26, 2014: It was another emotional night in Boston as Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett returned for the first time since being traded to the Nets in July. Each only scored six points, but Brooklyn came away with a 85-79 win.
Mark L. Baer, USA TODAY Sports

Jan. 25, 2014: Thunder star Kevin Durant had his game face on for a 103-91 win over the 76ers, finishing with 32 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists for his second triple-double of the season. Durant also scored 30 or more for the 10th consecutive game.
Howard Smith, USA TODAY Sports

Jan. 24, 2014: Carmelo Anthony was all smiles after he delighted the home crowd and lit up Madison Square Garden with a franchise and arena-record 62 points in the Knicks' 125-96 win over the Bobcats.
Noah K. Murray, USA TODAY Sports

Jan. 12, 2014: C.J. Miles (0) couldn't get to the bucket here against Jason Thompson (34), just as the Cavaliers had a tough time scoring against the Kings in a 124-80 loss. Sacramento's 44-point blowout was the biggest rout of the NBA season so far.
Kelley L. Cox, USA TODAY Sports

Jan. 10, 2014: In an NBA first, the Heat and Nets wore jerseys with nicknames on the back. "The Truth" Paul Pierce (34) and the Nets got the better of "King James" LeBron James and the Heat in a 104-95 double-overtime win.
Joe Camporeale, USA TODAY Sports

Jan. 5, 2014: A frustrated Jose Calderon pleads his case with an official during the Mavericks' home loss to the Knicks. New York frustrated Dallas into a season low in points in a 92-80 win.
Jerome Miron, USA TODAY Sports

Jan. 4, 2014: Kevin Love, right, got the better of Kevin Durant in this collision of All-Stars, but Durant and the Thunder got the better of Love and the Timberwolves on the scoreboard in Oklahoma City's 115-111 win.
Jesse Johnson, USA TODAY Sports

Jan. 1, 2014: Monta Ellis (11) played some tough defense on John Wall (2) here as the Mavericks locked down on the Wizards in the fourth quarter of an 87-78 win in Washington.
Geoff Burke, USA TODAY Sports

Dec. 23, 2013: In the epitome of a size mismatch, the 7-0 Dirk Nowitzki shoots over the 6-3 Jeremy Lin during a Mavericks win over the Rockets. Nowtizki scored a game-high 31 points to move into 13th place on the all-time scoring list.
Troy Taormina, USA TODAY Sports

Dec. 21, 2013: Damian Lillard does it all for the Portland Trail Blazers. The reigning Rookie of the Year hit the floor to corral a loose ball here and later hit the go-ahead three-pointer in a 110-107 home win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Steve Dykes, USA TODAY Sports

Dec. 19, 2013: No Big 3 was no problem for the Spurs. Even with Tim Duncan cheering from the bench and Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker also out, San Antonio edged Golden State on the road 104-102.
Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports

Dec. 14, 2013: Washington point guard John Wall (2) wasn't happy with a call here or the Wizards' play in a 113-97 home loss to the Clippers. Wall finished with 24 points and 12 assists, but his Los Angeles counterpart Chris Paul answered with 38 points and 12 dimes.
Geoff Burke, USA TODAY Sports

Dec. 11, 2013: It was an emotional night in Boston when former coach Doc Rivers returned to the TD Garden as a visitor. Rivers received a standing ovation during a video tribute to his nine years with the Celtics.
Greg M. Cooper, USA TODAY Sports

Dec. 8, 2013: It was thumbs up all around in Laker Land when Kobe Bryant made his season debut eight months after suffering a torn Achilles tendon. Bryant's return was not enough, though, as Los Angeles lost to the Toronto Raptors.
Richard Mackson, USA TODAY Sports

Dec. 6, 2013: Rockets guard James Harden (13) drives the ball on a fast break during the first quarter against the Golden State Warriors at the Toyota Center in Houston.
Troy Taormina, USA TODAY Sports

Dec. 5, 2013: Iman Shumpert (21) and Andray Blatche (0) shared just a few of the many heated words exchanged between the Knicks and Nets in the battle of New York. Shumpert and the Knicks routed Blatche and the Nets in the first of four meetings this season.
Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports

Nov. 23, 2013: Tempers flare during a third-quarter altercation between the Blazers and Warriors in Oakland. The fracas led to three ejections and six technical fouls during Portland's come-from-behind win.
Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports